easyJet is the first European airline to partner with JetZero
As part of the partnership, easyJet will join JetZero’s newly established Airline Working Group – providing operational insights and expertise to assist in the development of the aircraft
JetZero is already working with the U.S. Air Force, NASA and the FAA to produce a mid-market aircraft for entry-into-service by 2030
The U.S. company expects its new blended-wing body (BWB) aircraft will provide up to 50% less fuel burn and lower emissions versus traditional tube-and-wing design
easyJet, Europe’s leading airline, have formed a new partnership with U.S. based startup JetZero to develop future blended-wing aircraft that is expected to provide up to 50% lower fuel burn and GHG emissions versus traditional tube-and-wing designs, and which has the potential to be powered by hydrogen.
As part of the partnership, easyJet will share its knowledge of hydrogen propulsion systems following the years of work it has done to develop the technology with other industry partners, and explore the opportunity to use the blended-wing body as a platform for hydrogen-powered engine technology in the future.
In addition, easyJet will join JetZero’s newly established Airline Working Group, which aims to address practical considerations of airline and airport operations and help ensure the new aircraft shape improves upon all aspects of flight.
JetZero’s ultra-efficient blended-wing body jet has already garnered support from the U.S. Air Force, NASA and the FAA, with its first aircraft due to enter service as soon as 2030. U.S.-based Alaska Airlines last month announced that they are the first airline to partner with and invest in JetZero.
The blended-wing body is potentially the biggest leap in commercial aircraft design since the beginning of the jet age and another positive step towards the industry’s ultimate goal of zero-carbon emissions aviation.
The aircraft dramatically improves aerodynamic efficiency over traditional tube-and-wing designs, in part thanks to its unique aerofoil-shaped body and more slender wing design. This improvement in efficiency would translate into up to a 50% reduction in the requirement for SAF per passenger, also helping to reduce the costs of transition.
Another advantage of the blended-wing airframe is that it is agnostic to future propulsion solutions, its novel shape offering a suitable solution for hydrogen storage that would offer a far lower impact on passenger capacity versus a tube-and-wing design. This could help to accelerate the adoption of new zero emission fuels like hydrogen and help move the industry forward on the path to zero emissions.
David Morgan, Chief Operating Officer of easyJet, said:
“The blended-wing aircraft design offers the potential to maximise efficiencies and significantly reduce fuel burn and emissions in the process. Its potential to be powered by SAF or hydrogen in the future is also incredibly exciting and we look forward to working with JetZero over the coming years alongside our other partners to achieve our joint ambition to deliver a more sustainable pathway for the aviation industry.”
Tom O’Leary, CEO and cofounder of JetZero, said:
“JetZero’s blended wing body configuration delivers what the industry most needs today: lower fuel burn, lower emissions and a viable path to zero carbon emissions. We welcome easyJet to the Airline Working Group and look forward to furthering the work of incorporating hydrogen into our planning for future platforms.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact matt.clemens@easyjet.com
Notes to editors:
About easyJet
easyJet is Europe’s leading airline offering a unique and winning combination of the best route network connecting Europe's primary airports with great value fares and friendly service.
easyJet flies on more of Europe’s most popular routes than any other airline and carried more than 82 million passengers in 2023 with more than 11.3 million travelling for business. The airline has over 300 aircraft flying on nearly 1000 routes to more than 155 airports across 35 countries. Over 300 million Europeans live within one hour's drive of an easyJet airport.
easyJet aims to be a good corporate citizen, employing people on local contracts in eight countries across Europe in full compliance with national laws and recognizing their trade unions. The airline supports several local charities and has a corporate partnership with UNICEF which has raised nearly £17m for the most vulnerable children since it was established in 2012.
In 2022, easyJet published its roadmap to net zero by 2050. The roadmap, which also features a combination of fleet renewal, operational efficiencies, airspace modernization, Sustainable Aviation Fuel and carbon removal technology, has set an ambitious interim carbon emissions intensity reduction target of 35% by 2035. The airline’s ultimate aim is to fully transition its fleet to zero carbon emission technology, which it will achieve through a number of strategic partnerships including with Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and GKN Aerospace Solutions. Since 2000, the airline has successfully reduced its carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometer by one-third.
Innovation is in easyJet’s DNA – since launching nearly 30 years ago, easyJet changed the way people fly to the present day where the airline leads the industry in digital and operational innovations to make travel easier and more affordable for its passengers.
In 2023 easyJet was named by TIME as one of the World’s Best Companies and a Leader in Diversity 2024 by The Financial Times.
About JetZeroJetZero, co-founded by aerospace legend Mark Page, is developing the world's first commercial blended wing body (BWB) airplane. With up to 50% lower fuel burn and carbon emissions compared to existing commercial airliners, JetZero's BWB offers the aviation industry a clear path to achieving its 2050 net-zero goals. Working alongside the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and the FAA, and backed by decades of investment and research into blended wing technology, JetZero looks to enter commercial service by 2030.
